Rice signs with Broncos

   

  The altitude has really helped Simeon Rice's attitude.

   Rice, 33, signed a one-year contract Monday believed to be worth $3-million guaranteed with a chance to earn another $1-million in incentives.

   That's slightly less than Rice turned down to remain with the Bucs. He failed a physical with Tampa Bay on July 26. When he refused to take a $2.5-million pay cut from his $7.25-million salary, Rice was released.

   Rice chose the Broncos over the St. Louis Rams. There were questions about the health of Rice's shoulder after he underwent season-ending surgery in 2006. But Rice passed a physical for the Rams and the Broncos.

   Rice will be reunited with another Bucs castoff, safety John Lynch, who was named to three straight Pro Bowls since being released by Tampa Bay.

   ""This team is special,''' Rice said. ""It's a special situation. I've never been around a place like this. John (Lynch) loves it here. It's special man. Talked to (defensive tackle) Sam Adams and everybody is excited. He said, "First of all, we need you. we want you. It's especially cool because of the the opportunity to come in here and do what you do and get off. These cats will love it.''

   Rice will return to his role a starting right defensive end playing opposite either John Engelberger or Elvis Dumervil. Top picks Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder also are expected to see playing time. The Rams had looked at Rice as a possible third down pass rusher.

   Rice's agent, Tom Condon, had been in contact with the Bucs. But Rice said Tampa Bay officials indicated they didn't want him back because of derogatory comments he made towards coach Jon Gruden following his release.

   Rice has 121 career sacks, the second-most among active players. He suffered a shoulder injury last season and was limited to a career-low two sacks in just eight games.

   

   

      

   

Comments

[Sharon]

So he took less money from Denver then the Bucs were offering. He never would restructure although Brooks and other players have throughout the years. So I say see ya.......

[Mike]

Exactly Sharon. I would imagine though that once he got out and tested the waters he realized that maybe his value wasn't what he thought it was. This move kind of catches me off guard. Not necessarily that he signed with the Broncos, but that they signed him before the start of the season. His season's salary is now guaranteed. Had the Broncos waited until after next week, they could have paid him his game checks and cut him at any time with no further monetary obligation...if I'm not mistaken.

[Daniel]

I say good riddance to Rice. Not only did he take less money to join the Broncos, he took two million dollars less than the bucs final offer of 5 mil. If he hits his incentives he still makes a million less. Sharon is right, for six years he was the highest paid Buc on the roster, yet he refused to restructure his contract every time we asked him. I knew nobody would pay him five million dollars. I hope he plays the run better in Denver than he did here.

[Rick Stroud]

You're right Mike. Broncos could've signed him in Week 2 and his salary would not have been guaranteed. But basically, they guaranteed it anyway. There's just $1-million he can earn in incentives.

[Rob]

Get a grip! Good riddance? Perhaps that's we should be saying to the egomaniacal duo of Gruden and Allen. Who has a better track record Gruden or Simeon? Simeon will kill in Denver and Tampa will struggle to find a competent pass rush for 10 weeks while Gaines gets his feet wet. When will everyone wake up to the fact that Gruden doesn't like anyone more popular than him. Lynch, Sapp, et al were not at the end of their careers. Just look what Gruden did to Alstott. If it weren't for the fans, Alstott would have been toast years ago. At least we only have one more year with Chuckie!

[C.J.]

Kudos to Rice.
It is never the case where those at the top are willing to sacrifice their contract earnings for "the cause". Ask Allen or Gruden to take a 30% cut, and watch how cooperative they are. In fact, how comfortable would any of you be to do so for the sake of the mismanaged company you work for?

I'm sure that Simeon is not hurting. He stood by HIS principles, which carries as much weight as cash, depending upon the context.

[Daniel]

Rob, darn right good riddance. Players do age and lose their effectivness. Selfish players are not team players either, and Rice was a selfish player. Your conspirasy theory concerning losing Lynch and Sapp because they were more popular than Gruden is revisionist history. Lynch was injured, why didn't Dungy pick him up? Sapp's production was slowing down and the salery cap wouldn't provide for both he and Mcfarland. McFarland got the new deal and Sapp was let go. Both desicions were mistakes in hindsight, but both weren't let go because they were more popular than Gruden. Tough decisions are made by every team in the league concerning players, most concern the salery cap or injuries. Is Andy Reid a bad coach too, because he let Trotter go? Or Tony Dungy because Cato June came to Tampa? You can't keep everyone, as much as the fans would like to.

[aaron]

good riddance to rice? how dare you. shame on you. the bucs screwed him, he didnt screw the bucs. he worked his a** off for us. he was a BIG part of why we were so dominant and won the sb. good riddance to gruden/allen! they need to go.

[Charles]

If what they say about Gruden is true (he is a liar and a D_CK), and I suspect it's true.......then I see no problem with Rice not wanting to compromise on his salary here, and going to Denver to be with Lynch, regardless of the pay scale....If Gruden and the tampa bay organization want to be so player unfriendly, so be it. Bye-Bye Chuckie, you mouse.

[Chezley]

Rice, like Lynch was getting stagnant here. The new team will probably have a good effect on him. He was a great player early on but his attitude started to be an issue. The Denver papers will have fun with his quotes.

[Daniel]

aaron, Shame on you for showing loyalty to a player who never cared about the team or his teamates. The Bucs are full of players who have restructured their contracts to help the team. Brooks is one of them, Rice is not. Restructuring doesn't mean you are paid less either, it means the money is paid in the form of a bonus, which is guaranteed. The bonus is amoritized for the length of the contract to lessen the blow to the salery cap. Rice was the highest paid Buc for six years and would never do this. How did the Bucs screw him as you claim? He wasn't worth 7.25 million injured, so the Bucs offered him 5 million. Did the greedy Rice take it? Of course not. Did any other team offer him close to the five million offered by the Bucs? His closeest offer was 3 million from Denver. So the Bucs are supposed to pay a player 7.25 million who's highest offer on the open market is 3 million? Glad you're not running the team. Your reasoning is he worked his butt off. All players work their butt off, for the insane amount of money they make, they should. This is a team sport requiring team players and Rice was not one of them, regardless of how well he could sack the QB in his prime. I was sad to see Lynch go and sad to see Sapp go, Shelton and Alstot too. Greedy players out for themselves like Rice, should get no sympathy from Buc fans.

[DR]

Good riddance to Rice? You guys will be saying that to Gruden and Allen at years end. Well, you should be saying that. Why would anyone take a paycut for Gruden and Allen? They haven't earned that type of respect. They had plenty of room under the cap and they handled rice's release it in the usual disrespectful way. Rice showed respect by not spitting on Gruden's lying face. I'm happy for Rice, he'll play with another "injured" former buc and the reason Dungy didn't pick him up was because they were strapped at the cap and they really didn't need Lynch. Yes, their defense was and is subpar but if you have the best offense, you need to do what you can to keep that offense intact. What has the "offensive genious" done for the bucs offense? Absolutely nothing. The best thing will be watching Rice and Lynch play in January, probably just for one week, but it will be one than the Bucs will be playing this year.

[aaron]

well put DR. well put.

[Daniel]

DR or aaron, what was Rices reason for not restructuring when asked? He wouldn't have taken a paycut, his money would have been restructured in bonuses. Knock Gruallen all you want, my posts have never given them "props" I'm a Buc fan and who coaches the team is up to the owners, not you or I. Do you approve of Rices behavior on the sideline yelling at Kiffen? You want Kiffen gone too?

[Gregg]

Oh I see........But Gruden has enough money for 4 quarterbacks, 2 of whom are worthless........The "Boy Blunder" & "Offensive Non-Genious" has accomplished absolutely nothing since he just happened to be around when Dungy's team won the SB.....Talk to me when we are 8 games in and 2-6.

[Mr. T]

Sorry guys, Daniel is right.

I've been in the TB area for 9.5 years now. I have no idea how the team stayed here during that bad first 2 decades (except for 1 year). The first sign of trouble, this area wants a new coach, new FO, and its old players back!

You're all welcome to root for another team, or coach, or front office, or player.

Quit being so negative! Every team in the league is 0-0 with an equal chance to win the SB! Go BUCS!!!

[aaron]

it is not that they got rid of rice, it is how they got rid of him. classless. just add rice to the list of former players that were tossed out like they were some marginal players. these players meant a lot to the franchise and to treat them like that is wrong. these players are gone and so be it. let them go. but daniel doesnt have to trash rice. he is gone move on. lets talk about how much allens beauty of a find, patrick chukwurah is going to help us...

[Daniel]

aaron, I wouldn't exactly say I was trashing Rice. He was never a team player, that is well documented by his actions on and off the field. There was no reason for him not to restucture his contract when asked, no money out of his pocket, just a bigger bonus spread the length of his contract. This morning on Ian Beckles radio show, Beckles thought it was time for Rice to go too because of his negative locker romm influence. Something you don't want for a young team. As far as Chukwurah, injurues happen, how is that Allens fault? You want to find fault with Allen's recent late round draft picks, I'm with you. Blaming him for injuries dosen't make sense.

[Stan]

It's like this. When Gruden got called out by Keyshawn on national tv, and Chuckie backed down, that's when things starting falling apart with this franchise player wise.

The "tougher" players saw, that for all of his tough-guy screaming and yelling, this coach was a wussy punk at heart.

That's why Rice wouldn't negotiate. Who would back down to a Frontin' wuss?

Keyshawn didn't. Sapp didn't. McCardell didn't. Lynch didn't. And I am sure there are others who are no longer players for Gruden taht didn't as well.

Alstott did, in a humble way, as an exception because he is a different kind of tough guy, and will still be here in a coaching capacity when that spineless, freckled faced wuss-assss punk is gone next year.

Dem's da facts, Jack.

[Mr.T]

Stan,

Let's check facts. Sapp, Lynch, and Keenan weren't offered new contracts. Sapp and Lynch were free agents and could sign with ANY other team. Did they sign with ANY of their former coaches' teams in Dungy, Edwards, Lovie Smith? NO, NO, NO. Keenan was under contract and sat out ten games. You see what it got him...the Bucs filed a grievance AND WON. Keenan had to pay back at least $1 million.

As for Keyshawn, how many teams were knocking on his door to come play for them? One. His former coach, Parcels who got rid of him AGAIN. The Panthers need his talent and experience this year. Guess what? The CUT HIM because those benefits didn't outweigh his cost. Gruden did right by taking the high road. You don't have a fight with your coach during a game.

Maybe check your facts before you post next time. Click, clack...JACK.

[Stan]

Mr T.......

Are you living in Grudens Underwear?

Gruden has no idea of what a "high-road" is. He yells and sceams like he's a tough guy, and them pee'd his pants and lost any respect he had, if any.

Haven't you ever quit a job and taken a loss because the boss was a puss? Some times it's worth it.

If not, then your have no capability to understand these facts as they pertain to Bucs players, free agents or not, wanting out, even with a pay cut. The pay request is just a way to say "See-Ya'"

Clickity Clack, your a Jack.

[Stan]

PS:

Please see the recent quotes by Tili Barber, and how in his upcoming book, that he chose quitting football, rather than get a muti-million $$ contract, than play for the coach of the giants.

It happens all the time.

[Mr.T]

Stan,

At least you're still showing a little respect by writing my whole name. Thanks for that.

State a fact with a source or you have no grounds for an arguement. And, no, I haven't left a boss and taken losses. I've won every time.

Cya, wouldn't want to be ya.
Mr. T

[aaron]

sapp was a free agent. Lynch was released. he tried to restructure and allen said "hit the road". as far as rice being a bad influence on the team, i am not so sure he was. lynch is welcoming him with open arms in denver and brooks was highly upset with the move and how it went down. if he was so bad in the locker room why does lynch want him in his and why was brooks upset he was now gone? he was abrasive, but that was to the media and management, not his teammates.

[Kurt]

aaron, stop making assumptions about player's feelings to make your stupid arguments. stick with facts ok? it's just like your mumbo-jumbo bs concerning C Simms. his numbers are terrible and you think he should start. well gruden tried your theory out last year and it cost us an 0-3 start. so here again, we let an overpayed, injured player go. that's news in the nfl? rice stated that he would just come back to tampa if the money was the same, but guess what, since "he" handled his release so "poorly," (down talking the bucs coaching staff and upper-management while they said nothing but the nicest things about rice) the bucs removed their offer from the table and he had to sign with the broncos for less. his actions cost him 2 million dollars. he's a chump and won't be missed. gaines is already playing better than him, but i guess you don't really watch games, you're just a critic.

[aaron]

it is not an assumption kurtis, it is from an article in USA Today from 9/3/07. read it.and brooks comments were reported by this paper. check it out. i cant believe you are backing gru-allen in their handling of rices situation. he never talked down to anybody on the staff other than Gruden. nothing about kiffin or the d's coaching staff. just your boys gruden & allen.

[Daniel]

aaron, We all know the Rice was a great player in his prime and was intrumental in helping the Bucs win the Super Bowl. He was also a first class jerk as evidenced by some of these quotes “I am the best of the best. I'm that rare individual, that rare athlete, who is able to negate offenses.” You say Gruden has a big ego? About Pat Tillman "Maybe it was the Rambo movies?" "Maybe it's Sylvester Stallone and Rocky?" Rice suggested that Tillman might be joining the army because he wasn't a very good football player anyway."he really wasn’t that good anyway." was his exact qoute. He was talking about an ex teamate there, not a stranger. Pretty idiotic, you have to admit?

[aaron]

i never said gruden has a big ego. that comment about tillman was pretty stupid. but what about john lynch's quote "He is a teammate who I love playing with." and "He is a funny guy & teammates love him. I can certainly vouch for his character and his ability." are you calling john lynch a liar or saying he doesnt know what he is talking about? i think he knows simeon better that you daniel.

[Daniel]

Lynch is one of the classiest players in the NFL. His actions on and off the field demontrate that. What is he supposed to say? Why does he have to vouch for Rice's character in the first place? Was it being questioned in the rest of the interveiw you didn't print? Lynch also said "A lot of people like to give him a hard time about his run defense. It doesn't always look pretty, but he gets the job done," That being the closest to a negative comment about another player that Lynch has ever made. We all know that Lynch would never say a bad word about a current or former teamate, unlike Rice who has, as evidenced by those Tillman quotes. If you want to cheer for Rice and Denver, be my guest, I'll be cheering for the Bucs this year.

[aaron]

he is classy and a reporter asked him a question and he answered. he isnt going feed people bulls**t about how good a guy is. that is the way he feels. he is vouching for his character because negative people like youself continue to trash his name. good thing you finally read the article. you should do that next time before you post half truths. and yes he said he gets the job done. what else would you want daniel? i will be rooting for the bucs right with buddy, but just because a player left town and plays for another team you dont have to trash him. have some class, dont act like a Raider fan.

[aaron]

instead of living in the past daniel tell everybody adams going to step up and fill the void left at r-end. or say something positive about how our safeties are looking more fundamentally sound this preseason. or how this looks good going in with our new young mlb, Ruud. he is looking good. how about our promising young o-line? share you infinate wisdom about something positive about the Bucs. dont worry youself about the broncos and rice. all i am saying is respect the past. dont live in it. move on, he has.

[Daniel]

aaron, I'm one of the few posters on this blog who doen't live in the past. I never mention how great we had it with Dungy and McKay or lament about the players who are no longer with the team. Who's living in the past? Is saying good riddance to a player living in the past? I have a right to my opinion just like you. I thought Rice was selfish for not restructoring his contract when asked like Brooks, I also think his egotistical rantings did not foster sportsmanship, he also seemed disinterested at times and din't play the run very well. These are just my opinions and since this blog topic was about Rice going to Denver, I decided to share them. Who are you to tell me what to post when you constantly post about what players are feeling or thinking, like you are in their head. I support this team and stay away from the Gru-Allen bashing like your negative comment on Sept 4 at 6:16 "good riddance to gruden/allen! they need to go" You're telling me to be positive about the team? Practice what you preach!!!

[Daniel]

aaron, here is an example from a post you made today on the "Not so special teams" bolg. Your first sentence out of the gate "gruden is PO'ed that he isnt making all the decisions" I'm glad you are around to tell me how Gruden feels! Your last sentence in that same post "because we will be 6-10, 7-9 at best this year and gru-allen will be gone". I guess that means I don't have to watch the games this year! Who is being negative aaron?

[aaron]

This was about rice and him going to the broncos. and good for you for expressing your dislike for rice. but it went beyond you saying good riddance, you trashed him. that is not cool. he was good with us, he helped us win the sb. we have one lombardi trophy and he was a big part of that. respect that. as far a restructuring did we need that money? the free agent signing period was dead. no one was left to get. we were already way under the cap. brooks did it to get cap room to resign hovan and alstott. what were they going to do with rices $ but stock pile it.

[aaron]

that is a positive outlook daniel 6-10, 7-9. thats is not negative. that is an improvement over last years record. what would you like me to say, 16-0? dont you hear the disdain in his voice when asked about simms? the look on his face when asked about keeping 4 qb's. he didnt want to. go ahead and watch all the games you want. i will be watching for all 16. talking about gruden not being in tampa anymore is the the healthiest, most optimistic thig a buc fan can think of.

[Daniel]

aaron, the same year Brooks restructured, they asked Rice to restructure, he said no as he did every time the bucs asked him while they were in salery cap hell. I'm not talking about when they asked him to take a paycut, although that would have benefited Rice since it was 2mil more than what the Broncos offered. As far as trashing Rice, I guess it is okay for him to trash the team on the way out the door but you don't think the fans have a right to recipricate. Rice easily could have taken the high road, but that is not his style since he thinks he is the best player on the planet. My veiw on the season is a wait and see. Our division is very weak and 9-7 could win it if the Saints drop off a bit. As far as Gruden, the Simms desicion was not his, but the Glazers normaly stay out of football desicions. How do you know it wasn't Allen pulling the strings on that one? He did sign Simms to his contract. I don't really know on that one and for anyone to say that they do is just guessing.

[aaron]

i am not telling you what gruden is thinking because i know first hand. i was relaying to the blog what i read in an article in the Tribune on 9/2/07. i didnt write it, i just read it.

[aaron]

"Tampa was great but this situation is a class above it all. The way they treated me from the owner to the team on down." that is rices quote. "I'll miss Derrick Brooks, Brian Kelly, Ronde Barber ... those are my guys forever." thats his quote about his mates. this is what he said about gruden...'Jon Gruden didn't have the decency, after all these years and all we've been through together, to talk to me face to face. I know he's happy today.' he never said anything bad about the fans or the team, only gruden and allen. as far as the season goes yeah lets wait and see i hope its more than 7-9 but i still think we have some holes to fill and time for people to develop. next year playoffs. keeping simms wasnt allens decision. that is clear also. gruden/allen see eye to eye on personnel decisions. it came from above, the glazers. go to tribune and read the article...

[aaron]

another character witness for simeon rice...dewayne white...'Sim was a great mentor for me and a great leader,' White said. 'The guy's a future Hall of Famer, a guy who leads by example. If you're willing to follow his pace, you can do great things. Wouldn't that be something if Simeon ended up here? That would be awesome.' he was never a negative influence in the locker room.
well liked by his teammates.

[aaron]

more evidence he didnt trash Tampa or the staff, only gruden/allen...'I love Rod, I love secondary coach Raheem Morris and ownership's been great down in Tampa,' Rice said. 'Monte Kiffin and I may have had our differences, but we did big things together. Now it's time for me to really step on the gas.

[Daniel]

I read Dwaynes White's comment about Rice. That was when the Lions thought they had a shot at landing Rice. Even with Rice's bum shoulder, he would be an ungrade over anything the Lions have. Why insult the guy you are trying to recruit? I was just repeating a comment made by Ian Beckles about Rice being a negative influence in the locker room, former players have more insight to this kind of stull than you or I. I also have heard enough of Rice's wacky interviews to know the guy wasn't all there, so please spare me all the quotes, you still haven't justified why he didn't restructure when Brooks did or his insult of Tillman. I have my opinion and you have yours, just like you have your opinion of Gru-Allen. Your're entiltled to yours and I'm entitled to mine. As far as Gruden and Allen being on the same page on ALL personnel desicions, that's not what Big Dog was saying on the radio yesterday. It's just conjucture to make such a diffinative statement one way or the other. It does seem that Allen wants Simms more than Gruden as there is no irratation in Allens voice when he discusses him. I don't know why you think it is clear that Allen doesn't want him either.

[Daniel]

aaron I guess you were talking about the Martin Fennelly article in the Trib about Simms. That guy is a comedy writer and his guess is as good as yours or mine.